Seen from above, Kondyor Massif looks like an ancient volcano or a vestige caused by an impact meteorite. However, experts say that the unique shape of the massif is the result of molten magma of volcanic rock that crystallized beneath the ground more than a billion years ago, forming a perfect circle.

Massifs undergo soil erosion over the long term. Harder than the surrounding soil, the Kondyor Massif is the upper surface edge of a rock column slowly deepening into the Earth’s crust and the remains of a completely eroded dome portion. A stream flows from the center of the massif, replenished with water from melted snow at the edge. Many smaller streams radiate from the edge, supplying water to the Kondyor River on the north face.

The Kondyoɾ Mɑѕѕιf in a NASA satellite image. (Photo: Sіbeɾіan Tіmes).

These springs house deposits of platinum in the form of crystals, beads, and ingots, alongside gold and various other precious minerals. While some crystals are minuscule, many others boast rounded edges. Notably, Kondyor Massif is renowned for hosting some of the world’s highest quality gold-plated platinum crystals. The annual platinum yield from this site reaches up to 4 tons, earning Kondyor Massif the moniker “treasure mountain.”

As a result, streams emanating from the rim carry deposits of platinum in crystal, ingot, and grain forms, along with various other precious metals such as gold and precious stones. These are considered the “best found” globally and are known as Konderite – a mixture of copper, platinum, rhodium, lead, and sulfur.

According to Siberiantιmes, platinum was mined in the Kondyor massif in 1984. Platinum crystals from this massif first appeared on The Tuсson gem and M. nerɑl Show, USA in 1993. Typically, they are mined here around 4 tons of platinum every year.